Commentators and translations disagree as to whether rather I wrote or “now I write” (Revised Standard Version footnote) is meant here. We have explained the reason for this in the comments on 4.17 and also 5.9. The Greek literally means “but now I wrote to you”; but the word translated “now” may indicate not present tense but a new step in the argument; and “I wrote” may mean “I am writing,” expressing the time element from the point of view of the person reading the letter. A majority of modern translations take the verb to be present in meaning and to refer to the letter Paul is writing now. There seems to be, however, a contrast between this verse and 9, and Revised Standard Version‘s text weakens this contrast. Some translations, such as Jerusalem Bible and An American Translation, agree with Revised Standard Version, but omit rather and But. The main argument against Revised Standard Version‘s footnote is that if Paul intended a contrast between past and present letters, it is difficult to see why he did not make this plain by using the present tense here, as for example in 14.37; 2 Cor 13.10. If the translator follows Revised Standard Version‘s text, I wrote must really mean “I meant to write.” Good News Bible and many other common language translations have rendered it in this way. It is probably the best way to translate this phrase. However, it is advisable to have a footnote similar to Revised Standard Version‘s.

The phrase “What I meant was” (Good News Bible) may also be rendered as “What I was referring to was” or “The meaning of the words that I wrote was.”

Name may mean not only “who calls himself” but “who is known as a believer in the Christian community.”

Brother means “fellow Christian” and not a real family member.

One should keep Paul’s order of items in the list of sins, although there is probably no significance to this ordering.

Reviler has a wider meaning than Good News Bible‘s “slanderer.” The Greek word refers to someone who speaks insultingly or abusively of others. Drunkard means someone who is habitually drunk.

Not even to eat with such a one explains the earlier command in this verse not to associate with …. To share any meal, especially the Lord’s Supper, was a more serious matter in New Testament times than in modern western-type societies (compare Gal 2.12).

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .